5. Spike/ Gray

5

SPIKE/ GRAY

SPIKE

I could feel their gazes on the three of us even as we exited the roadhouse, and I didn't let my guard down for a single second.

Still, I couldn't shake off Juan's disappointed and cold gaze.

When he and Katherine saw me by Austin's grave, Juan assumed I would bring nothing but trouble, and in a way, he was right. Well, it didn't matter now.

I focused on Gray, who stopped in his tracks and stared at a battered black sedan, his, I presumed.

He mentioned his car breaking down while he was trying to get to the Dirty Stallion, I recalled.

Before I could offer Gray a ride, Nitro grabbed me by the shoulder, and I looked at my very angry best friend.

"What were you thinking, Spike?" Nitro demanded.

"I wasn't," I admitted.

"That's the problem. You always act before you think,” Nitro pointed out.

"A lecture, here of all places?" I asked, a little irritated. "We aren't even in the clear yet."

At those words, Nitro looked over his shoulder. A couple of Juan's bears had exited the roadhouse and were loitering by the door.

Both shifters had their guns with them and I had a feeling they weren’t shy about using them.

"We'll discuss this once we're back home," Nitro said, walking over to his Harley.

"Can't wait," I muttered under my breath.

"I really couldn't apologize enough for everything that had happened," Gray began, but I raised a hand and he quieted.

"Gray, I don't regret stepping in," I told him, searching his eyes. "You're worth the trouble."

Gray let out an unexpected laugh, easing any tension between us.

"You don't even know me," Gray said. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

"I'd like to know more about you,” I said, making my intentions known.

Gray blushed a little, and at that moment, he looked so cute I could eat him right up. What was this strange fluttering in my stomach?

My heart raced a little faster when I spoke and looked at him. Was I... into Gray?

Romance should be the last thing on my mind right now. I focused on the problem on hand and tried picturing myself in Gray’s shoes.

"You should stay with family and friends, keep off radar a little while, until Jack forgets all about you," I said.

"I..." Gray began, hesitated. "My dad died five years ago. Being on the road so much, I don't have any time to make friends. I'm basically on my own."

The confession seemed to shame him. Reflex made me put my arms around him and pull him close in a hug. Gray didn't pull away; he simply let me embrace him.

This was real nice, I thought. Gray gripped my t-shirt, saying nothing for a few seconds. Maybe it had been some time before anyone held him like this.

"I have an idea. Why don't you stay with me for a little while? At least until the heat clears?" I asked, suddenly struck with inspiration.

"With you?" Gray asked rather tentatively.

Then, I remembered how he got into this mess in the first place—Jack offered him a bed and warm food, but he had strings attached.

Gray wouldn't trust another stranger so quickly. We knew practically nothing about each other, and yet, to me, Gray felt like a stranger I'd known all my life.

"You'll be under my protection and the protection of my MC. Even Jack would hesitate to try going after you again," I pointed out.

Gray didn't answer me right away, and I could see he was still thinking about my offer.

"Look, you don't have to decide right away, but for now, we should all get out of here before Juan changes his mind," I said, gesturing to the two bear shifters looking daggers at us.

"Right, I'll just get my stuff," Gray said.

"Let me give you a hand," I offered.

Gray didn't seem to mind me following him, but I kept a polite distance because the last thing I wanted was to spook him.

As soon as Gray opened his car door, I noticed the amount of belongings wedged in his car — including a sleeping bag, a pile of laundry, and food items.

It didn't take me long to deduce he'd been living in his car because I'd been in the same place once.

Gray quickly snatched a backpack from the bag, and it struck me I had an emergency pack like that once, which contained all my essential items.

"Ready," Gray said, facing me.

"I'll send someone to pick up your car," I assured him as he followed me to my Harley.

Nitro was already on his, engine running, looking impatient as hell.

"Thanks for the offer about my car, it means the world to me," Gray murmured.

"I understand. It's your home, isn't it?" I asked.

Gray flushed but only nodded.

"I'd been where you were," I said. "Your car will follow us to Moon Burrow; that's our territory."

"Will you two lovebirds continue this elsewhere? We need to get going," Nitro pointed out.

"He's usually less grumpy than this," I told Gray, getting on my motorcycle.

Gray hopped on behind me, then wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I put you guys in a terrible position. He has every right to be angry with me," Gray murmured.

Nitro revved his engine and went ahead. I made a quick phone call to the MC clubhouse, asking a prospect to pick up Gray's car.

I was pretty sure Juan and his bears wouldn’t mind. With that done, I addressed Gray's comment.

"Nitro will cool off eventually. You good to go?" I asked him.

Gary took a deep breath before answering me.

"Ready," Gray said.

GRAY

The wind whipped against my face and clothes. Even though Spike was riding up front and taking most of the cold, I shivered in my shirt and thin denim jacket.

Spike noticed and he pulled over on the side of the road just to place his leather cut over my shoulders before resuming the ride. That was definitely sweet of him.

At first, I chided myself for possibly making the same mistake all over again. Two alpha shifters making me the same offer in such a short amount of time?

I must be special or something, but then, this situation felt different.

My wolf immediately went haywire the moment we arrived at the Blue Vale Wolf Pack compound, but there were no alarm bells when I was with Spike.

In fact, my wolf and I felt completely safe with him, and that unsettled me a little, especially given I had just met Spike today.

Still, my wolf had never steered me wrong before, and I trusted him without question.

There was a strange connection between Spike and me, one that went beyond words.

For now, I decided I would go with my gut instinct and see where it would lead. Besides, it wasn't like I had any particular plans, no direction in mind, and Jack was still out there.

If I didn't accept Spike's protection, sooner or later, Jack would find me... although it still confused me why he was intent on pursuing me.

As Spike's motorcycle cut through the chilly night, the rhythmic purr of the engine became a soothing noise to my ears.

The leather cut draped over my shoulders provided a strange sense of security. I couldn't ignore the strange pull I felt toward Spike, as if some unseen force was guiding me.

For a moment, I even replayed the scene in my head when Spike mentioned he was interested in knowing me. He liked me... right? I wasn't imagining things?

Being on the road for so long, I didn't have time to make social connections, much less seriously date someone.

Sure, I had given in to a one-night-stand every now and then, but that didn't really count. My father always believed things happened for a reason.

What if my misadventures with Jack had led me to Spike? I shook my head, dismissing those foolish thoughts.

If there was one thing I learned while being on my own for so long, it was that I had to be practical.

Despite my practicality, an unspoken curiosity about Spike lingered. What would it be like to stay with him, surrounded by his pack and motorcycle club brothers?

Would it be a chance for something more, or just a temporary respite from the dangers lurking in the shadows?

Night had fallen by the time we arrived at the gate leading to the MC compound.

The sight of guards at the door triggered a sense of unease, a reminder of my earlier apprehension when entering the Blue Vale Valley Wolf Pack compound.

"Hey," Spike's voice interrupted my tense thoughts, and I realized I was clutching onto him too tightly.

I forced myself to relax as Nitro exchanged a few words with the guards.

"Yeah?" I whispered.

"If you're not comfortable staying here, I could bring you to a motel in town," Spike suggested, his tone considerate. "And look behind you."

I followed his advice and turned around. To my immense relief, a tow truck with my car right behind it greeted my eyes.

Spike had been true to his word, proving to be nothing but incredibly thoughtful throughout our tumultuous journey.

"A motel sounds nice but..." I trailed off, embarrassed to admit I couldn't afford it.

"Look, a former MC member runs the Lotus Motel. He owes me a favor, so I could probably get you a room for free," Spike suggested, cutting off my hesitation. "I insist."

"I can't possibly..." I began, feeling torn.

"I insist," Spike repeated firmly.

"Hey, you two coming inside or what?" Nitro's voice echoed from beyond the gate, already past the guards.

"Okay," I whispered, my gratitude evident.

"Nah, we're good," Spike called back. "I'll catch up with you later, Nitro. Hey, Smokey's bringing Gray's car into the garage. Make sure it gets the repairs it needs?"

"Fine," Nitro grumbled.

The Lotus Motel turned out to be only a few blocks away from the MC compound, conveniently close to town.

Spike found a parking slot on the street opposite the motel and got off his motorcycle.

Uncertain about what awaited us, I took in the modern facade of the building, resembling one of those motel chains.

As we stepped inside, the atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming.

"Hey, Rooster," Spike greeted the big, tatted-up guy knitting behind the registration desk. "Going to call in the favor you owe me."

Rooster set his knitting needles and yarn down, giving both Spike and me a curious look.

"This ain't a love hotel, Spike,” Rooster said.

I flushed at the comment, but Spike only chuckled.

"Just a room for Gray here. He's been through a lot, and I think some space and privacy would do him some good,” Spike said.

"Alright then," Rooster said, pulling out a room key without further questions.

"Thank you," I told Rooster, who only nodded and resumed his knitting.

Spike led me to the fourth floor, where my room was located, a silent companion in this unfamiliar place.

"Alright then, here's where I'll drop you off. I'll come by again tomorrow, with your car. Don't worry about the costs," Spike added as I hesitated near the doorway.

"I need to pay you back. I'm not a freeloader," I blurted, my uncertainty lingering. "Why did you do all this for me?"

The question hung in the air, waiting for an answer. Spike ran his fingers through his hair, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I won't deny that I like you, Gray. A lot, but I'm not expecting anything in return. Besides, it's the right thing to do,” Spike answered.

"The right thing to do?" I repeated, a hint of skepticism in my voice. "In my experience, nothing comes free in this world."

"My help does," Spike said, his gaze locking onto mine.

My heart started racing, and my palms grew a little sweaty.

"Look, I'll bring your car and will probably ask you out for breakfast. If you refuse, then it's fine with me. You can stay here for a while until the heat cools, or you can choose to move on. Whatever you decide,” Spike said.

"I'll hold you to your word then," was all I managed to say, realizing that saying more might lead to words I'd regret.

My heart was playing tricks on me, and I needed to keep a lid on my emotions.

"You have a good night, Gray," Spike said, his eyes holding a warmth that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You too, and thank you again for everything," I replied, closing the door behind me.

As I entered the room, exhaustion set in. Something felt missing, I realized.

I didn’t want this evening to end this way, so I walked back to the door and opened it, hoping Spike was still there.